Butter Cookies in Pixie Hollow

Friday is our favorite school day because we have the least amount of work to do. That means we have time for other interests.

Emma has been studying her alphabet with My Little Primer. For "B" we were supposed to make Ma's Butter Cookies but didn't have all the ingredients at the time. I finally remembered to purchase everything and Emma and I were in the kitchen cooking. This little girl loves to cook! I measured and she mixed. We both rolled them for the cookie sheet. Then I was left alone to wait for them to bake while she ran off with her sisters.

Mary and Grace know how interested Emma is right now in stories about fairies. Well, it seems they found some fairies for her at the Pixie Hollow Tree. She was so excited! They even helped her to make houses and beds for her imaginary fairies.

As soon as the cookies were done, I jumped on my bike and took them to the girls. What a perfect afternoon it was for a 4 year old with butter cookies and fairies. I think even her big sisters had fun.

A Dress for Emma

Finally I finished this dress! It wasn't a hard pattern, honestly. I have to admit, the placket was difficult for me. I've done tons of plackets before, just never this way. LOL! The pattern is "Grace" by Children's Corner. It has 10 knife pleats in the front and 10 in the back.

I think they added that little "something" to the dress. I had purchased the fabric a few years ago and just happened to have matching whipped piping in my stash.

I think it all worked out nicely and so does Emma. She very patiently waited for me to finish. Her only complaint-it's not blue. Guess what I'm working on now! LOL

Our Lips and Ears

I read this on Kim's blog today and felt it needed to be shared here too.


In which we learn how to conduct our conversation.

If you your lips would keep from slips,

Five things observe with care;

Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,

And how and when and where.

If you your ears would save from jeers,

These things keep meekly hid:

Myself and I, mine and my,

And how I do and did.



from the Book of Virtues

Cleansing both mind and body

About 3 years ago Mark got a small sauna for us. I thought he was a little crazy because where we live you can sit outside and sweat at least 10 mths out of the year! LOL! Anytime we've travelled, he's always enjoyed using a sauna and I knew he'd get lots of use out of it, and he really has. When he's home he uses the sauna daily. As for me, I only used it when we had the occasional cold day and I wanted to warm up quickly! :) That is until recently. Mark had repeatedly told me the benefits of taking a sauna. Finally I gave in and decided to join him. Like with everything else, once I make my mind up and commit, I'm in it for the long run. For the last few weeks, around 6 each morning I go for my sauna. At first I had a hard time relaxing-my mind was racing with all the things I thought I should be doing instead of just lying there. I tried taking books in to read but the heat and steam rippled the pages; magazines would just fall apart. Then it hit me-this would be the perfect time to just sit and talk with God! I've really enjoyed being able to sit and pray without being rushed or interrupted. When I come out, not only has my body been cleansed but so has my mind and heart. I would encourage everyone to try the sauna. You may just be surprised at how much you enjoy it too.

For some of the physical benefits of the sauna, I found tons of information from this site.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I never thought I would have any desire to make my own laundry detergent. That is until I read this book by Renee Loux. I've now started making my own cleaners, hand sanitizer and air freshener. I have to admit that I've had the most fun making the laundry detergent. I use this recipe with Ivory soap. I really love the nice fresh smell-no sweet perfume. Plus it only costs pennies a load. Did I mention that it cleans just as well as the other detergents? I'm definitely sold!

John Deere Road

On our last visit to Canada Mark took us to meet a couple he had met a few years ago. After spending the evening with them I wished he had introduced us sooner! Sharon was so beautiful and so very sweet! The girls fell in love with her immediately! As soon as we came in she pulled out tons of toys for them to play with. For us, she had boiled, peeled and deveined shrimp (can you believe it?) We had a fabulous time! They had a gorgeous house but my favorite part had to be outside. They had the most meticulously landscaped and "decorated" yard. I couldn't resist going from plant to plant taking in all the beauty. Sharon and Firmin were such a delightful couple. I look forward to spending much more time with them and getting to know them better.
Firmin's first tractor

Happy endings do come true...

"honest to God!" (guess who said this!)

The 23rd of August we were fortunate enough to be invited to our dear friend's, Mark and Cyndy's wedding in Shoal Lake, Canada. Boy were we in for a treat! They had a garden wedding on Saturday afternoon. We arrived in Manitoba on Thursday evening. I was a little worried on Friday b/c it was not only raining, but a little chilly for this southern girl! It wouldn't have been a problem but we had packed for 90 F weather. Let me tell you-it was no where near 90 F! Thankfully by Saturday afternoon the weather had cleared and it was actually a little warm in the sun.

(Their Ukrainian wedding cake. Isn't it gorgeous?)

I always thought we did things differently down here. We're a lot more like our northern neighbors than I ever imagined! The groom and his groom's men arrived on quads with elk horns (I think it was elk???) tied on the front! This just fit those 3 guys! It was in direct contrast to Cyndy and their daughter Samantha gracefully gliding to the front in gorgeous white beaded gowns with their hair piled high around sparkling crowns. They always say opposites attract! LOL!

(Sweet Carla the matron on honor)

That evening there was a feast (and I mean FEAST!) for family and friends(over 400 people). Did I mention that Mark is Ukrainian? Those guys know how to cook! I haven't found any Ukrainian food that I don't like. It was an all you can eat Ukrainian buffet! I was in heaven. I ate till I thought I'd be sick. But it felt so good! LOL! After the speeches, toasts and dinner the dancing started. There were different Ukrainian dances that were so fun to watch. If I had any rhythm it would have probably been fun to participate too! We stayed until about 10:30 and were so exhausted we had to leave. The festivities went on all night. In fact at 11pm they had "lunch". More eating! This time it was trays of cold cuts and cheese. I hate we had to miss it, but we just couldn't hang out that late! Guess I'm getting old.

(Emma and Samantha) (Mary and Julie) (Cheryl and I) (Natasha, Emma and Mary) (Jenna and Grace)

That wasn't the end. The next day their was a big lunch for family and close friends. More Ukrainian food! YUM! Oh yea, Mark did take a pile of shrimp up and boil those to add to the meal. I ate a few just to be nice to my husband, but I was honestly more interested in the cabbage rolls!

(Mark cooking the shrimp.)
(The incredible chefs behind all the food I love so much-Shirley, Shirley, Phyllis and Anne. Mark's wants to leave me with them until I can learn to cook like they do. I'm afraid there aren't enough hours in the day! LOL)

You would think that would be the end of the celebrating and we'd leave the newlyweds alone for a few minutes. Not gonna happen. That evening we went to Mark and Cyndy's home, along with 2 other families and sat outside around the fire-roasting marshmallows, eating sandwiches and chips and just visiting. This was such fun-I could hang out there every night (that is if it wasn't such a long drive/flight from AL).

This was such a beautiful celebration for 2 beautiful people. Mark and his family have always gone out of their way to reach out to our family and show us a good time in Canada. I'm so glad he and Cyndy have been blessed with each other. I pray they have many years of happiness!